Thunderstorm Wind — Benton, Mississippi

2025-05-18 · near Hickory Flat, Benton, Mississippi

Event narrative

Large tree snapped along Hwy 5 in Hickory Flat.

Wider weather episode

A bowing MCS entered northwest Mississippi during the morning hours with plentiful instability. This segment resulted in damaging winds before quickly weakening as it headed east.

Moisture surged northward as a warm front lifted across the area, which enhanced atmospheric recovery. An increasing low-level jet enhanced this risk. A supercell was able to form and flourish across Arkansas and eventually track into north Mississippi, resulting in significant wind damage and a brief tornado during the evening hours.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (34.6300, -89.1800)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1260345. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.